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Mac Cannot Send Emails – How to Fix It 2026 Guide

Why Choose Keith Thomas

20 years of experience as a Senior Apple Support Specialist at Apple Computer UK HQ.

• Former Apple Computer UK Mac Support Specialist and Apple Authorised Service Provider background.

Established and Independent since 2010 for on‑site Apple Support Service – no call centres, no outsourcing, no hardware repairs. Over 25,000+ Apple problems resolved. Unique on-site Apple Support Service. backed up with Independent Apple Telephone Support Assistance.

• Trusted by home users, small businesses, and professionals across London and the South East UK.• Clear, honest, software‑only support. No Hardware Repairs. Expert Apple Consultancy Service.

On‑site Apple Mac Support in London and the South East UK

What this page covers

This guide explains the real reasons a Mac cannot send emails, the steps you can try yourself, and when it’s time to get professional on‑site help. It applies to:

• Apple Mail

• Outlook for Mac

• Gmail, iCloud, Outlook.com, Yahoo and IMAP accounts

• Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts

If your Mac won’t send emails, shows outgoing server errors, keeps messages stuck in Outbox, or asks for your password repeatedly, this page is for you.

The most common reasons a Mac cannot send emails

These are the issues that Keith Thomas identifies most often during on‑site visits:

• Incorrect outgoing mail server settings

• Authentication issues

• Incorrect password

• Microsoft 365 or Google security blocks

• Damaged Mail or Outlook preferences

• macOS update issues

• Keychain conflicts

• Corrupted user account

Quick checks you can do yourself

These steps solve around 60% of sending issues.

Check 1 – Restart the Mac

A restart resets Mail, Outlook and network services.

Check 2 – Restart the Mail or Outlook app

Fully quit the app and reopen it.

Check 3 – Check your password

Sending often fails after password changes.

Check 4 – Turn Wi‑Fi off and on

This forces the Mac to reconnect to the mail server.

If emails are stuck in the Outbox

This usually means:

• Incorrect outgoing server settings

• Authentication failure

• Network issue

Try:

• Mail → Settings → Accounts → Server Settings

• Restarting the Mac

• Turning Wi‑Fi off and on

If Mail shows “Cannot Send Message Using the Server”

This usually means:

• Wrong SMTP server

• Server offline

• Authentication issue

Try:

• Selecting another outgoing server if available

• Restarting the Mac

• Updating macOS

If Outlook for Mac cannot send emails

This usually means:

• Damaged Outlook profile

• Microsoft 365 authentication issue

• Keychain conflict

Try:

• Removing and re‑adding the account

• Restarting the Mac

• Updating Outlook

If Gmail cannot send emails

This usually means:

• Google security block

• App permissions revoked

• Incorrect password

Try:

• Approving the login on your phone

• Checking Google Account security alerts

• Restarting the Mac

If sending issues started after a macOS update

This usually means:

• Mail database reset

• Keychain reset

• Account re‑authentication required

Try:

• Re‑entering your email password

• Restarting the Mac

• Updating all apps

If sending works on another user account

This usually means:

• Corrupted user account

• Damaged Mail or Outlook preferences

• Permissions issues

Try:

• Testing sending on another user account

• Restarting the Mac

• Reinstalling macOS without erasing data

When DIY stops working

You should get on‑site help if:

• Emails refuse to send at all

• Outgoing server errors keep returning

• macOS reinstall does not fix the issue

• Mail or Outlook crashes during sending

• You need your data preserved

These issues usually require:

• Email account and server configuration repair

• macOS recovery

• Data‑safe macOS reinstall

• User account repair

• Permissions and system file diagnostics

On‑Site Apple Mac Support – London & South East UK

If your Mac cannot send emails, Keith Thomas provides an often same‑day on‑site support service across:

• Central London

• West, North, South and East London

• Surrey

• Berkshire

• Hampshire

• Wiltshire

Keith Thomas is a Mac Support Specialist in:

• Email sending and server issues

• Apple Mail and Outlook configuration

• macOS configuration repair

• Data‑safe macOS recovery

• macOS reinstall and repair

• New Mac setup and migration

• User account and permissions diagnostics

Book on‑site help in London and the South East UK

If your Mac cannot send emails, Keith Thomas can visit your home or office and get you working again.

Keith Thomas – Apple Mac Support Specialist

Established 2010 – Open 09:30–20:30, 7 Days

Contact Keith Thomas by Telephone: 07800 940756 or by Text to: 07800 940756, or simply complete an online website contact form 24/7